(AP) — The mayor of Grand Island has failed in his effort to fire the city attorney.

Four of the council members voted Tuesday night to fire Bob Sivick, but five voted to retain him.

Mayor Jay Vavricek wouldn’t cite any specific incidents that prompted him to seek Sivick’s ouster, calling it a personnel matter. But he acknowledged before the vote that there have been disagreements, including over how to handle the problems posed by the erection of profane signs by a Grand Island resident.

The council wanted Sivick to get a judge’s order to handle the matter, but Sivick said the city building director had the authority to remove the signs without a court opinion.